LCI Spotlight: Diana Hildebrand

The League certifies hundreds of League Cycling Instructors every year and there are thousands of LCIs around the country leading bike education efforts in their communities. In our LCI spotlight series, we are sharing the stories of League Cycling Instructors doing what they do every day: educating, mentoring, empowering. You don’t have to be an extraordinary athlete or overachieving student to be a stellar LCI, all you need is the conviction that life is better for everyone when more people ride bikes. 

One of the most precious joys comes from being on a bike and for LCIs like Diana Hildebrand, nothing brings her more joy than helping others learn how to have fun on two wheels. For this League Cycling Instructor spotlight, we took a virtual trip to Cleveland, Ohio to get all the ins and out of being an LCI from Diana Hildebrand. You can find our earlier LCI Spotlights in our blog archives.

Learn how to become an LCI in the Smart Cycling section of our website.

LCIs take the bike joy they hold within and spread that throughout their community and beyond. Diana is always striving to make new connections in the biking world and her desire to spread the gospel of cycling is what motivated her to become a League Cycling Instructor.  Read more about what being an LCI means to Diana below. 

ARE THERE LOCAL BIKE GROUPS YOU’RE A PART OF LOCALLY? 

DevahD Cycling, LLC, Bike Cleveland, Ohio Bicycle Federation, Black Girls Do Bike, Major Taylor Cycling Club

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHY YOU ENJOY TEACHING OTHERS TO BIKE.

I am Diana Hildebrand aka DevahD (Dee-Vuh-Dee). I am a mom of 2 superhumans and 1 amazing pup. I am a 5yr Cleveland transplant and as long as I’ve been living here, well is pretty much as long as I have been cycling and for two years I’ve been teaching bike education. I enjoy teaching because it gives me an opportunity to connect with people from all walks of life and skill levels. It also provides me the opportunity to partner and collaborate with organizations and schools and support communities by creating bike activities as a tool to educate while offering the bicycle as an alternative form of fitness, transportation, mental and emotional well-being more.

WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST REWARD IN TEACHING BIKE EDUCATION?

Helping people, young and old achieve their cycling goal and breaking fears that created barriers that hindered them from really having fun on two wheels.

WHAT IS YOUR BEST PIECE OF ADVICE FOR AN LCI WHO WANTS TO TEACH A CLASS BUT ISN’T SURE HOW TO GET STARTED?

Reach out to an LCI in your network and see if they’re a need of assistance or support. From there you’ll have the opportunity to get real hands-on experience that will help build your confidence from teaching to leading rides. Show up to support your local advocacy organization where there are teaching opportunities.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU THINK THAT ALL LCIS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TEACHING BIKE EDUCATION? 

Be yourself. Know your audience. Do your research. Have fun!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM BEING ON A BIKE?

There are so many memories from being on a bike but one that sticks out is hearing youth riders using verbal cues while riding and everyone is communicating and rolling as a vehicle while maintaining proper lane positioning. OMG, I smile every time just thinking about it.

Know an LCI who should be featured next? Nominate a stellar bike educator here!